Carousel at Binghamton’s Ross Park Won’t Open This Year

Bureaucratic delays have prevented the restoration project for the Ross Park carousel in Binghamton from getting underway.

It's still unknown when the carousel will be disassembled for a long-promised restoration project. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The historic carousel didn't operate last year because of a plan to renovate it and move it closer to the park entrance. City officials say it's not going to run this season and there's no word as to when the restoration will start.

Mayor Richard David said it's been "a very frustrating project" because the city is dealing with the state, which is expected to provide most of the money for the work.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, the mayor said "the rules continue to kind of change." He noted the city has been "granted funding to do things that the state is making it very difficult for us to do."

David said the city is "trying to navigate through some of these things" with those who need to give final approval for the project. He said the key issue centers around the carousel's "dilapidated" enclosure, with state officials contending it has "some historic value."

The mayor said the restoration effort is "moving but slowly."

The Ross Park carousel, which was installed nearly a century ago, features 60 jumping horses. (Photo: Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park)